Callophrys danchenkoi Zhdanko, 1998  
Nahcevan Hairstreak, Зеленушка Данченко 

Distribution and biological peculiarities in Armenia: 
This monotypic species is an endemic of Transcaucasia. The larval host plant is Ferula rigidula. In Armenia the species is distributed mainly in Central Armenia in those mountain steppe patches, which have the specific type of soil that can support the host plant. Elevation range occupied by the species lays between 1000 and 2000 m a.s.l. As for the other Callophrys species the larvae feeds on flowers and fruits of  F. rigidula, and the oviposition is mainly on flowers. That behavior determines the flight period of the butterflies which is mainly from mid May till end of June (depending on elevation) in a single generation.

Population dynamics:
The species is rather uncommon or even rare within its typical habitat. The study of population trend demonstrates moderate decline. The main cause of such population trend is probably uncontrolled collection of the host plant that is considered as eatable and is widely used by local people as marinade. Existing demand for F. rigidula creates high rate of its wild harvest and therefore removal of the host plant from the wild.

Conservation measures: 
The species is not assessed for the Global, European, and National Red Lists and also is not included in CITEC and Bern Convention. At current some populations of the species are covered by Khosrov Nature Reserve and Gnishik Community-managed Protected Area, as well as by Prime Butterfly Areas (PBA) Gnisheek and Ourtsadzor, however at least four subpopulations remain without conservation status. Also in the Protected Areas it is still allowed collection of wild eatable herbs by local inhabitants.
Proposed conservation measures include: (1) assessment of the conservation status of the species at least at the National Level; (2) inclusion of the other areas of species distribution into PBAs, then to Emerald Sites, and finally giving them a National status of Protected Areas; (3) development and application of policy that restricts amount of wild F. rigidula collection; (4) development of farming of the larval host-plant in order to supply the demand of that delicacy herb; (5) promotion of the identified PBAs as destination for butterfly-watching; (6) development of public outreach program for the local inhabitants.

Photo: C.R. Pape